Taranaki Swiss Club

The name Taranaki means in Maori 'gliding peak'. It has been said that Mount Taranaki (also called Mt Egmont) once lived in the central North Island of New Zealand, where he fell in love with Pihanga, wife of Tongariro. After a fiery battle, the tall and handsome Taranaki headed west. His falling tears are said to have created the Wanganui River as he gauged a path to the western coast of the North Island.

Taranaki is a lush farming area surrounding the majestic peak of Mount Taranaki (2518 metres high), with the Tasman Sea to the west and native bush to the east. A stunning combination of mountain scenery, peaceful farmland, carefully tended gardens, wild backcountry, lush countryside, great beaches and surf. Taranaki is a region of vast contrast, where one can surf at a beach in the morning, drive through the rolling plains to ski on the mountain in the afternoon.

Mount Taranaki is 2518 metres above sea level and is located in the 31,000 hectares of Egmont National Park. It offers locals and visitors a great variety of activities - skiing, tramping, walking and climbing. The mountain feeds over 50 streams and rivers and is home to many varieties of vegetation, this includes sub-alpine plants on the mountain and sub-tropical in the surrounding forests. The mountain and surrounding forests are also home to many varieties of birds.

Mt Taranaki is one of four volcanos in the Taranaki area (the youngest). Volcanic activity started in Taranaki over 1.7 million years ago, Sugar Loaf and Paritutu Islands were born from a lava flow 1.75 million years ago. There has not been any volcanic activity on the mountain for about 230 years.

Taranaki is known internationally as well as nationally for its stunning gardens and public parks, the climate and fertile soils is just what is needed to ensure top quality gardens all year round. Rhododendrons, fuchsias, native plants and speciality roses grow in vast numbers.The rhododendron sanctuary of Pukeiti has 500 specimens as well as 1,500 hybrid varieties. The annual Rhododendron Festival is a huge event in the Taranaki calender.

Disclaimer: Published information do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the committee nor is the club liable for any expenses due to errors or misleading information. Copyright © 2009 Swiss Society of New Zealand Inc. - All rights reserved.